Division
Reviewed by:
UG Team, on may 26, 2008 3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Sound: Back in 2005 Knoxville natives 10 Years made a lasting impression on the rock charts with it's single Wasteland, and it's likely that the band will likely find itself with at least a few hit singles on the new album Division. Much like Breaking Benjamin and Chevelle, 10 Years has an accessible sound that should reach a wide audience, but they also tend to be a little more daring at times. Division has more going for it than just being a single machine, and at times the band laughs in the face of Billboard charts by adding in several minutes of acoustic guitar or piano solos.
Division is a little hard to figure out at times, simply for the fact that you'll get a heavy helping of both laid-back, dark tunes and straightforward rock tracks. In terms of instant hits, the opening track Actions and Motives should be considered a sure-thing for airplay. With a cool bass intro, thought-provoking lyrics (Bear the cross; Wear the crown; There's just some evil you can't bleed out; Hell has to notice your Actions and Motives) and a catchy chorus, the track stands out immediately. The only other rock song on the album that comes close to being as memorable is All Your Lies, which features an incredible, sonic-sounding riff. If you like rich guitar tones in your music, check out All Your Lies.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are several songs that ooze melancholy. These particular tracks at times lean toward the sound of A Perfect Circle, but then eventually become completely unique entities when they strip down all of the instrumentation. The closing track Proud Of You is a haunting, quiet song that features basically just the vocals of Jesse Hasek and a subdued piano backing him up. Some female singers heard faintly in the background enter into the picture toward the end, setting a very eerie mood. The band actually finds it's niche when it creates pieces like these, which don't rely on layer upon layer to make it stand out. // 8

Lyrics: Most every song has at least some interesting lyrical aspect, and at times the lyrics actually stand out more so than the music underneath. Actions and Motives was mentioned earlier, but the single Beautiful has perhaps an even timelier theme dealing with Hollywood's celebrity royalty. Hasek sings, Visually you're stimulating to my eyes; Your Cinderella syndrome's full of lies; Your insecurities are concealed by your pride; Pretty soon your ego will kill what's left inside. The song puts an introspective take on the Hollywood fluff that comes out of TMZ. // 9

Overall Impression: There are a few lackluster tracks on Division, but 10 Years has written enough quality material to ensure that their fan base will grow. There are quite a few songs on the album that will attract airplay, but that doesn't mean that 10 Years has completely had to compromise their creative impulses in the meantime. Those creative urges usually have to do with lengthy piano solos, so that's just a word of caution. In the end, 10 Years does deserve credit for taking chances on stripped-down, instrumental moments that are obviously done for the sake of the song alone. // 8

Division
Reviewed by:
talia., on may 27, 2008 3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Sound: 10 Years has the most beautiful hard rock music I have ever heard. It took 3 years for the band to come out with such a melodic album. "Division" is very raw and emotional, touching upon every feeling possible. Guitar, bass and drum are great on this record. I don't think it sounds too much like their last album, but it's obvious that they have grown from their last record. Like their previous, this album is very dark and melodic; but "Division" packages so much more emotion and the band has stepped out of their comfort zone, specifically on the tracks "Focus" and "Drug Of Choice". Although it is a very emomtive album, it does not lose its power and heavyness. // 9

Lyrics: The lyrics on this album are not as deep as their previous albums in my opinion, but Jesse Hasek has a very creative way of expressing his emotions. His voice binds strong with the music on this record, and the band out done themselves with their melodic tones. The singer has one of the most euphonic voices I have ever heard, and it presents itself strongly on the record; especially on the track "Focus". // 8

Overall Impression: "Actions & Motives" is the perfect song to start off this album, very powerful and ear-catching. The most impressive songs on this album include: "Just Can't Win", "Russian Roulette", "Focus", "Beautiful", "Actions & Movtives" and "Dying Youth" (yes, there are a lot of great songs on this record). However, I am not too fond of the song "So Long, Good-Bye for the simple fact that it is very basic and cliche. But the album does end very beautifully with the six minute track "Proud Of You". // 9

This album is great. Much better than The Autumn Effect IMO, and that album was amazing. Actions & Motives, Just Can't Win, Beautiful, Dying Youth, Russian Roulette, Drug Of Choice, All Your Lies and Scream At The Walls (an extra song from the Best Buy version) are all awesome songs. I'd give this album a 9/10.

Dude it's so good...seriously, check it out. This is my favorite album of 2008 so far.

__Ronnie__ wrote:
This album is great. Much better than The Autumn Effect IMO, and that album was amazing. Actions & Motives, Just Can't Win, Beautiful, Dying Youth, Russian Roulette, Drug Of Choice, All Your Lies and Scream At The Walls (an extra song from the Best Buy version) are all awesome songs. I'd give this album a 9/10.

[quote]
yeah, pretty sure you about nailed it, better than Autumn Effect, which was a great album as well. I'd give it a 9/10 also.

Division shows a lot of musical growth for 10 Years. Killing All That Holds You was a good start and I thought that TAE was a pretty good album. But Division blows them out of the water. The songs are all very good and very catchy. There are only 2 songs on the album that I don't like. "Alabama" dosent really go anywhere and "Focus" isn't my cup of tea. Otherwise you can't go wrong with this album. Like everyone said earlier there are some cool acoustic parts that give the album a less commercial feel. If I absolutly had to pick a favorite track it would be "Russian Roulette" Even if you havent heard of 10 Years you definitly should check this album out. It's great new music, period. 9/10 (I don't see how anyone could really dislike Division.)

I'd like see someone's take of "Cycle of Life". I think it's an awesome song and one of their best. That's just me though.
I have to agree with mr. riff, it was a bit weird seeing Jesse without dreads, but he still is rockin' it dread-less. I'd give this album a 9/10, maybe even a 9.5 / 10. It's hard for me to give an album 10/10, so its extremely good in my books.

I love this album and every song on it, they are all so well written.
I normally listen to heavier stuff, like Killswitch Engage and All That Remains, but this is probably my favorite album from any band ever .
I definitely agree with freakonaleash; a freaking masterpiece.

A very melodic yet heavy band at times. You won't hear them on the radio as much as you should. A very good album, and probably best of 2008. If I had to pick between this and The Autumn Effect, it would probably be the ladder. Lyrically, I like this album more though.

for the various element that this band throws in on this album, it can be quite boring. they were compared to chevelle and Breaking Benjamin, who are both MOUNDS better. breaking benjamin has lost heir edge, but chevelle is still the best band in hard rock today. i do have to say, i enjoyed this album quite thoroughly and bought it right after i saw them live. it has its moments, but is pretty generic for my taste. the songs get old quick

HighPotency wrote:
Its pretty good but i prefer the Autumn Effect. If you like tool or a perfect circle, the Autumn Effect is a good album to start with.

i completely agree here.my fav. band is tool,but when it comes to these guys? i liked the autumn effect way better than this album.the autumn effect seemed much harder,and darker.this album seemed like they started leaning toward a 3 doors down sound(which isn't a very good way to lean,imo)rather than a tool-esque one.this album seemed way softer,and more upbeat.i didn't like it at all actually. i give them alot of credit for completly changing their sound,but some bands have a hard time pulling it off..i also have to agree with methlabforcutie,as i thought alot of songs sounded similar and kind of repetitive.boring after a while if you ask me..